How do you handle "rude"?

[Guba]

Just thought I'd ask how to handle a sticky problem of etiquette. I know how I handled it, but I just thought I'd ask how ya'll might have have handled the same situation.

A couple of years ago my dive group made a trip to Cozumel. The dive op had an eight-pack and my group had five divers, so there were three from another group aboard. We were scheduled for three days of diving. How can I say this gently...one of the others was a real "scene hog". The guy had a small video rig and proceeded to "move in" every time something interesting was pointed out. And I mean by ANYONE. The local dm pointed out a splendid toadfish--the only thing the rest of us saw was the back of the hog's head. My partner saw a huge eel in its crevice--that guy was the first to show and last to go. (Current was up that day, so maintaining our place was a bit difficult and increased air consumption.) I saw a huge grouping of lobsters in a big recess. You guessed it, "Mr. Speilberg" was there shooting his masterpiece. In short, they guy elbowed his way in and got in the way just about every time there was anything out of the ordinary within the group. The DM even had to prevent him from chasing the only shark to visit us on one of the reef.
In additon, this guy's wife seemed to "run interference" for him! It may have been just that she was watching him and had poor buoyancy control, but she managed to collide with several of us as we hovered over the reef.
Okay, short of grabbing his inflator or serepticiously releasing his weights and sending him on a rocket trip to the surface, what steps would you have taken to handle the situation? (The suggestion was made within our group to wrestle his camera away from him and jettison it over the outer wall but we ruled that one out, so don't bother.) Would you have confronted the guy? Would you have quietly spoken to the dm? I'm not sure the latter would have had any effect, because the dm was very aware of the problem and chose not to do anything about it on his own. I know he paid his money just like the rest of us, but how does one handle breaches of etiquette on a dive trip?

 

[H20Bubbles]

Nothing a good b!&ch slap once back on the surface wouldn't cure. Actually, it is a good question and I am not sure how the best way to handle the situation is.

 

[Diver Dennis]

I would try and communicate the problem to him first. Nicely explain that he might not realize it but he is causing a problem for you and the other divers. If that does not get him to stop, move on to more drastic measures. You do carry a knife don't you?

 

[NadMat]

I am with Dennis in attempt to communicate politely with him first. But I think I would put the knife option further down the list. Besides, not allowed to carry them in Coz Marine Park anyway.

If he did not respond to communication, I would ask DM or Dive op to correct the situation or keep him on different boat. All else failing, then I might start thinking about things like holing his BC before dive, or arranging for sand to get at his video housing o ring seals.

 

[El Orans]

http://www.underwaterphotography.com/Frink/Dive-Etiquette/Buddy-Diving.asp

 

[divebutt]

Voice your concerns privatley to the DM, or better yet, the owner of the operation. A good DM/owner should value the wellbeing and happiness of 5 customers over those of a person, who is without doubt, rude.

Failing that, I'd probably shut his air off around 100ft, right after I kicked his mask and reg off 'accidently'. Oops....

Cheers,

Divebutt

 

[Damselfish]

I would have started by talking to the DM, even if he didn't seem inclined to do something about it on his own, maybe someone complaining to him would have inspired him.

I've been in a somewhat similar situation, there was a guy all over the reef and manhandling everything. I said something to a DM, he didn't say much, but it was clear he had noticed and was on the fence about doing something, and my saying something swayed him. (This was on a liveaboard.) Once there was a complaint (maybe more than one for all I know) I'm pretty sure someone talked to the guy. Attitude changed a little and he actually stopped tromping on everything.

 

[Lead_carrier]

and in no uncertain terms. Make sure there is no room for interpetation. If that doesn't correct it. Let the dm or diver operator know what's happening and you won't dive with them if it continues.

It actually happened to a group of us a few years ago in Coz. and the video guy was a jerk and his "buddy" wasn't much better. It worked out great for them, by the end of the week they had their own boat because no one would dive with them.

 

[Misplaced Priority]

I know I'm wrong but I'm a little more passive agressive. I would make sure I "accidently" silted up his shots with my fins as much as possible. Then maybe he would not want to dive with me again!

 

[ScubaGil]

This happened to me on a live-a-board once. Talked to the DM, and nothing happened, so I took matters into my own hands and sat the guy down for a talk. Worked like a charm, explained to him that he is bothering not only me but others as well, and I gave him specific examples from the last dive. It got better after that.

I WISH he would have shown his footage on the TV that way I would of barged in and say:
"that is where you pushed me"
"that is where elbowed me"
"that is where I wanted to shut your air off"